Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze (CDU) has called for stricter requirements for citizens' allowance recipients ahead of the upcoming state elections. In an interview with the "Rheinische Post," he stated that there are "too many cases" where the state pays benefits without demanding anything in return. This is unfair to those who finance the system and to people who work despite difficult circumstances.
Schulze emphasized that individuals who are fully capable of working and choose not to should not be allowed to continue without consequences. "Anyone who sits at home doing nothing from Monday to Friday should not be allowed to continue like this," he said. He advocated for offering more community service opportunities and pushing benefit recipients to accept them.
The Prime Minister pointed to the labor market situation in Saxony-Anhalt, where there are thousands of job openings. He criticized that many people who could work are not doing so. He cited agriculture as an example, where helpers from Eastern Europe are often brought in for harvests while the potential within the country remains underutilized. "Why aren't we utilizing this potential among those currently receiving benefits?" Schulze asked.
This initiative aligns with the internal direction of the Union to impose stricter sanctions on citizens' allowance recipients. However, Schulze may not have much influence in this matter, as social welfare is a federal responsibility. He did announce plans to enforce any potentially changed legal framework rigorously.
Schulze's demands also seem to be a response to pressure from the far right. According to a recent poll, the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt stands at only 26 percent, while the AfD is at 41 percent. Schulze will be running for election in September.
